Laser moose and rabbit boy As the deer flies

Gr 3--6--Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are back for another installment of the action-packed comic series. After a quiet and meditative walk to view the oldest oak tree in the forest, they see their friend Frank the Deer leaping off a cliff. Though Laser Moose uses his laser vision to hastily create a safety net of trees, Frank sustains multiple injuries. When he awakens, he can't talk, but instead screeches like a bird. Something isn't right in the forest, and Laser Moose believes that there is a mystery to solve. What made Frank fall? What evil force is at work? Fortunately, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy have experience tracking down their woodland enemies. They soon figure out that their number one foe, Cyborgupine, might be involved. Savage captivates his audience with succinct panel art and delightful quips from the characters. Savage keeps the adventure flowing with action on almost every page. Don't be fooled by the adorable illustrations--these animals are laser-shooting heroes with endless amounts of wit, and Frank's fall ("I'm fairly certain that his legs are not supposed to bend that way") may have readers wincing. VERDICT Dynamic animal characters and a sci-fi twist make this a satisfying addition that can easily stand alone.--Claire Moore, Manhattan Beach Lib., CA

In a forest of oddball animal superheroes, what will happen next? From the idiosyncratic brain of online cartoonist Savage comes another episode in the action-packed adventures of Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy. Minimal text and colorful, simplified illustrations once again meld together in a story that feels at once off-the-cuff and quirkily inventive, and while it's not exactly Shakespeare, this zany selection is sure to make readers laugh and will leave those who love animal stories, simple adventure, kooky humor, and wacky wordplay clamoring for more. Like the others in the series, this is reminiscent of an old-school comic strip. The offbeat tale begins with a very confused eagle and an exhilarated deer (or was it vice versa?) and includes a plunge from a cliff, a brain swap, a clueless scientist, a devious villain, funny and familiar heroes, and, of course, a triumph over evil. What could be sillier or more fun? A science lesson about tree rings and an engaging activity round out the story and may lead youngsters to take another look at the natural world. A nice choice for reluctant readers as well as anyone who loves funny books, cartoons, or comics. A rambunctious addition to a fun-filled series that will make even the most solemn reader crack a smile. (Graphic adventure. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.